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So You Won the Lottery… And Other Big Financial Decisions

Winning the lottery can be bittersweet. On one hand your money troubles are over, but on the other you have the potential to deviate from your financial plan.

Financial Advice on Lottery Winnings and Other Big Financial Decisions

Ever daydream about winning the lottery? It's easy to suppose that if you win the lottery, your money troubles are over. But anyone who follows the news knows that's just not the case. To navigate the potentially disastrous aftermath of winning the lottery, you'll need a solid financial plan, guided by expert financial advice. If you ever win the lottery, make sure to follow the tips below. Interestingly, they may help guide some less glamorous financial decisions as well.

Get financial advice early.

The first thing you should do upon hearing the good news is seek financial advice from a qualified financial advisor. Do this before you're required to make any significant decisions, such as whether to collect your winnings right away in a lump sum, or over time in an annuity.

For example, if you win the Powerball, you can opt to get the whole $500 million at once, or divide it into 30 installments spread over 29 years. That may sound like a simple choice, but the ramifications are complex.

If you opt for the lump sum, you'll have to pay tax on the entire amount immediately. You'll also be forced to manage money on a scale you've probably never had to do before. On the other hand, with a solid financial plan and the discipline to follow your budget, you could be in very good shape. You may even be able to increase your earnings by investing them.

If you go with the annuity option, you'll pay taxes incrementally, and you won't face the task of managing an incomprehensible sum of money with no prior experience to guide you. On the other hand, if you die before the annuity period is up, your family will have to pay the estate tax on their inheritance - an amount they probably don't have on hand. Bear in mind, this choice can also make a major impact on the total amount you bring home - and the math will be complicated. That's another reason financial advice is so important.

Choose your financial advisor carefully.

Not all experts bring the same credentials, areas of knowledge or years of experience. CNBC put it this way: “Anyone seeking a planner needs to be armed with the correct questions to ensure that the professional chosen is working in your interest and capable of addressing all your specific financial needs.”

Indeed, this is one situation where you shouldn't rely on personal connections or word of mouth to guide you (unless you happen to know a lot of millionaires). To find someone who's qualified to advise you, visit the Financial Planning Association website.

Build your financial plan.

Once you've found a financial advisor and you've made your first big decisions - such as how to receive your winnings - it's time to learn how to budget. Don't assume these are only for people who need to stretch their funds from month to month. As Business Insider said, “It seems counterintuitive, but the uber-wealthy have just as much to gain from a personal budget as the rest of us - especially if their wealth has come on suddenly.” Making a budget will help you steer clear of the most common post-lottery pitfall - accidentally squandering your wealth - and empower you to protect the future for yourself and your loved ones. Good luck!

All Learning Center articles are general summaries that can be used when considering your financial future at various life stages. The information presented is for educational purposes and is meant to supplement other information specific to your situation. It is not intended as investment advice and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Learning Center articles may describe services and financial products not offered by Protective Life or its subsidiaries. Descriptions of financial products contained in Learning Center articles are not intended to represent those offered by Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Neither Protective Life nor its representatives offer legal or tax advice. We encourage you to consult with your financial adviser and legal or tax adviser regarding your individual situations before making investment, social security, retirement planning, and tax‐related decisions. For information about Protective Life and its products and services, visit www.protective.com.

Companies and organizations linked from Learning Center articles have no affiliation with Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Financial Advice

If you win the lottery, will you opt for the lump sum or go with the annuity option? Managing big financial decisions can be overwhelming. Get information from the Protective Life Learning Center on determining how to manage lottery winnings, selecting a financial advisor, and building a financial plan.